Regimental number | 6/1785 |
Address | Shearman Street, Waimate |
Marital status | Single |
Next of kin | Mother, Mrs J Brien, Shearman Street, Waimate |
Rank on embarkation | Lance Corporal |
Enlistment status | Volunteer |
Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 4th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 21 Willochra on |
Final rank | Sergeant |
Final unit | 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Age at death from cemetery records | 29 |
Place of burial | Polygon Wood Cemetery (Row D, Grave No 14), Belgium |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Jessie Brien, Waimate, Timaru, and the late Robert Brien |
Medals |
Military Medal 'Operations opposite Polderhoek 27th November to 1st December 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the above period this N.C.O. was in command of the Battalion Carrying Party bringing rations up to the troops in the Front line. The enemy shelled the track at dusk and dawn with H.E shrapnel, and also with Machine Guns, but Sergt Brien personally led his party through the barrage, where a less resolute leader would not have succeeded. He never once failed to bring up hot rations to the men in the trenches, and in these duties showed marked powers of command, initiative and readiness to assume responsibility. He showed the greatest devotion to duty, an utter disregard for danger, and his services were of the greatest value to his Battalion.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Canterbury Infantry Batln/Fourth |